Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional (DSP)Turn your passion for helping people into a rewarding career! As a Direct Support Professional (DSP), you aren't just taking a job—you're becoming an advocate, mentor, and essential partner in helping people with disabilities live life to the fullest. Join our team today and start making an impact!Come join Easterseals Iowa, supporting clients to live in their own homes in the Des Moines metro area, assisting individuals as they work on their goals to be more independent. Things like learning how to cook on their own, social skill building, money skills, improving their health, learning safety skills, personal cares, and much more!Now is a great time to join our team, as we have some exciting options for you! We currently have 8-hour shift openings during the week and 12-hour shifts on the weekends!The pay range for the position is set beginning at $14.75 up to $19.00 per hour, depending on experience level. A.25 wage increase is available upon completion of a successful 90-day orientation period. Providing transportation to clients will be a requirement for this position on any shift.Do you have:The willingness to make a difference in someone's life every day?The ability to work in a fun and unique workplace?The ability to share your creative ideas and implement them?The understanding of teamwork?The will to want to continue to grow and learn within your position?The people skills to be able to work with team members and clients with all different kinds of backgrounds and culturesMaybe you've worked with people with disabilities in the past, maybe not & that's ok too. We will invest in you!Easterseals has full-time benefits, including:Competitive wage and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, employer-paid life insurance/accidental death and dismemberment/long term disability insurance, and a 403(b) tax-deferred retirement plan offered to all full-time employees20 days of PTO in the first year, increasing to 25 days of PTO in the second year, which we not only let you take, but expect you to take off!An additional 8 paid holidaysA culture that promotes from within for advancement opportunitiesA supportive and flexible team working environmentThe application process consists of a 1st phone interview with the Recruitment & Talent Development Coordinator and a 2nd Team Leader interview.Easter Seals Values Accountabilities:Integrity: Advocate for the client, support them to advocate for their needs, and have the things they need to live a meaningful and fulfilled lifeCustomer-Focused: Focus on the individual needs of each client and do what we must to meet those needs.Independence: Support clients to advocate for themselves and their right to live a meaningful and fulfilled lifeRespect: Ensure client has informed choice in their services and their life.Shared Purpose: Work together as a team to meet the needs of our clients, and be able to do so respectfully and professionally.Excellence: Seek to be efficient and effective in supporting client's life choices and style.RequirementsHigh school diploma or equivalent.Ability to make independent decisions based on established policy, procedure, and standard practice.Experience working with persons with disabilities preferred.Access to Reliable Transportation for regular participation in work.Maintenance of good driving record.Insurable under Easter Seals vehicle insurance policyAbility to operate a computer and navigate through Easter Seals database. Experience in word processing software; Word and Excel preferred.Ability to work cooperatively with team members, clients and the public in a professional and concerned manner.Ability to work in a team environment.Ability to work non-traditional hours as required, including weekends and eveningsAbility to communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.Ability to write complete sentences and utilize appropriate grammar.Ability to bend, stoop, twist, and liftAbility to transfer or move a minimum of 80 poundsAccess to a telephone for on-call system.Ability to successfully pass a Medication Management course within the first 90 days.Ability to successfully complete Mandatory Reporter of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse within the first 30 days.Ability to successfully pass Adult and Child CPR, First Aid, and agency-required trainings within the first 90 days.Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Iowa Chauffeur's (Class D) License as requested